Saturday, August 29, 2009

Hopkins, North Carolina & Short Pump, Virginia

Hopkins

Board members of the American Belarussian Relief Organization (ABRO) have lunch following a meeting of the 501c3, non-profit humanitarian relief organization. It's been a good year. In spite of the global economic downturn, the organization assisted 320 children exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear accident this summer.

Danita Strong — who with her husband Joe runs the organization — serves cake during the luncheon.

Sky and clouds above the steeple of Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church where the ABRO board meeting was held.

Short Pump

Jenine, left, and Dianne, right, out for an afternoon walk along Copperas Lane.

Jordan, left, checks out the homemade necklace Jenine is wearing today in the Daily Grind ...

... and waves goodbye to other customers as she and her mother leave the coffee shop.

Jenine displays the necklace. She also displays a couple of lost teeth. More are loose. Her mouth gets more interesting with the lose of each tooth.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Short Pump, Virginia

It's Sarah's last day at the Daily Grind. She leaves Saturday for New York University where she will to study music. Last week we celebrated her time with us. Today we say goodbye and ask her to make one last cappuccino.

It's the end of the day. A good way to spend it is to sit at the bar in the SeaFire Grill and talk with the staff over salad with house dressing, clams with linguini and steamed shrimp. Lindsey takes our order and gets us started ... a couple of club sodas ... with lime of course.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Richmond, Virginia

Over the years Ken and I have shared assignments in interesting situations, kept each other in and out of trouble, and survived it all by watching out for one another's back. Today we share a meal at Karen's City Diner on Broad Street. It is a great place for breakfast and lunch.

David, left, stops by an exhibit on Asia while leading a tour along Monument Avenue. All participants are either Deaf or Deaf translators. David is also Deaf.

David's tour group talks with one another as they follow him through the tour. They share a common language that transcends geographic, cultural and national barriers that impede those with a spoken language.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Liam makes sure his baby gets all the attention his little sister Harper does. Shortly after she was born earlier this year, Liam began doing for this baby what his mother does for his little sister.

Harper, left, responds to Price, right, her father. Cindy, above, is keeping the nursery at Cambridge church this morning.

A message from Pastor Jay Smith is part of Sunday worship service at Cambridge church .

Somewhere is the midst of the huddle is Erin. She grew up at Cambridge and graduated high school this spring. She will work at an orphanage in Central America the next three months before beginning university studies in the spring. Members of the church gather around her to pledge their support and pray for her.

When the huddle dissolves, Erin receives final words from Win Davis, minister to youth and young adults.

Pastor Jay Smith, right, comforts a neighbor having a difficult time.

Shawn works on an online orientation course for his college. Another recent high school graduate, he begins freshman classes tomorrow.

Friday, August 21, 2009

I never learn the name of this young pup. She patiently awaits her people, tethered to their RV beneath a copse of oak trees with plenty of food, water and shelter.*

Short Pump

Paul Steinberg has a show this evening at the Wyndham Childhood Development Center. He finishes another portrait of Sarah, a server at the Daily Grind (see Aug. 15 post). Some of his work is displayed about the room.*

While across town, Sarah is flanked by Sam, left, and Alison, right, during a farewell party for her. Sarah will be leaving shortly for New York University to study music. Next week will be her last at the Daily Grind. She will be missed.**

Sunset over Short Pump.*

Sunset reflects in the side window of the Jeep where Jenine works the wheel, heading for Mexico she says.*

Jenine, left, and Dianne, right, bask in gentle light at the end of the day.*

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Short Pump, Virginia

Cambridge church

The sandwich assembly line, above and below. Cambridge church participates in a ministry to homeless families. This is their week to house 28 individuals — mothers, fathers and children — in the program. The sandwiches are part of lunch provided for the families as they go out during the day to work, look for work and go to school.

Sadie and Toby remember Allan, left, and Ann, right, Mitchell. Sadie particularly remembers Ann from her puppy days when Ann would feed her cheese. Anyone with cheese is very special.